WhiteWall Lab: Studio visit with a pro -Rafael Neff

For Rafael Neff, finding the perfect finish for his works is of overriding importance. He was looking for "a standard of the very best quality" and finally found this at WhiteWall.

The artist is known for his large-format works: colourful and opulent images of opera and theater houses and libraries throughout the world that entrance the viewer immediately with their presence. But in order to achieve such an effect, not only the motif itself but also the finishing and mounting of the photograph is of ultimate importance.

Rafael Neff decided that the refined acrylic glass mount is the right finish for his works, a process in which the photographic print is mounted on solid aluminium backing and then sealed under premium acrylic glass with permanently elastic silicon. He sets a high value on precisely sanded corners and, so crucial to large formats, an extra brace to reinforce the middle of the backing.

Rafael Neff makes yet other demands of a photo lab: "The shipping and the production process, from the proof to the delivery, has to be just right." After his first order from WhiteWall the artist was immediately convinced and shed any initial fears of shipping damages or variations in colour. "My assistant zeroed in on WhiteWall, and the way they handle the proofs is perfect. When you can work with such an experienced team, you notice for the first time how much energy other labs had cost you."

Rafael Neff first came in contact with WhiteWall through his collaboration with LUMAS, since WhiteWall produces all LUMAS editions. Neff has since had all of his works printed here.

For pros like Rafael Neff and amateur photographers alike: WhiteWall doesn't differentiate between the two and promises both the exact same service. Rafael Neff's reason for choosing WhiteWall is straightforward: "Because WhiteWall offers a standard of quality and prices that are unbeatable. There's no one better."

Interview with Rafael Neff/h2>

How did you hear of the WhiteWall photo lab?

Through LUMAS. My works are represented in the LUMAS portfolio and have always been produced by WhiteWall. So I came in contact with WhiteWall's quality very quickly and was persuaded by the visual appearance.

What qualitative standards do you expect from a photo lab?

The shipping and the entire process have to work. Everything from the proof to delivery has to be right – like it is at WhiteWall. The way data is handled must also function flawlessly.

When did you decide to produce and mount your photographs at WhiteWall?

Very quickly after the first tests – and after my shipment fears were quelled. Aside from the fact that my proofs were handled perfectly. My assistant had also clearly zeroed in on WhiteWall. All the perfect conditions.

In the end, it was the quality and the personal contact that convinced me to work with WhiteWall. There has to be a connection: once things worked so perfectly between WhiteWall and me, I noticed for the first time how much energy other labs had cost me.

What quality criteria are most important to you?

Perfectly cut and sanded corners and a clean hanging mount. With large format works, the middle reinforcement is indispensible. And finally, packaging plays an important role. It has to be like it is at WhiteWall: Art-secure Packaging and custom-made wood crates to protect the picture during shipment.

SYou are known for your large format. What do you have to pay particular attention to when framing or mounting large format works?

The hanging mount. It has to be functional and above all sturdy and secure, especially for the American market. Security is indisputable, everything has to be perfect, for example closed corners for hanging.

Something else to pay attention to with such large formats is that they can be integrated into the buyer's space. Many buyers, above all private collectors, order images specifically without frames so as to avoid potential conflicts with their furniture. The image has to be able to stand on its own, without any additional embellishment. You have to be able to put yourself in your buyer's shoes: what kind of person is my client, what can I offer him, what suits him?

Which presentation format best accentuates your work? Why?

The acrylic glass mount. The photographic print is affixed to solid aluminium backing and finally mounted under polished, premium acrylic glass with permanently elastic silicon. It looks sumptuous and best accentuates my kind of motif. And it's a standard presentation, a finished product of the very best quality.

As a professional photographer, you use WhiteWall's services. In your opinion, why is WhiteWall just as suited for hobby photographers as it is for pros?

Because both receive the absolutely same service.

Why would you recommend WhiteWall to other artists?

As a producer: because the price cannot be beat. And the quality is there. There's no one better.

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